Buffalo Soldiers in Columbus, New Mexico Photograph Collection
Collection
Identifier: PICT-2010-001
Scope and Content
Photos show soldiers at rifle and machine gun practice, at chow line, at attention, etc. On the back of one photo is a pencil note indicating that the soldiers were in a company from the 24th Infantry, based at Columbus, N.M., January 20, 1918.
Dates
- 1918
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of print and photographic material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. For more information see the Photographs and Images Research Guide and contact the Pictorial Archivist.
History
Through an act of Congress, legislation was adopted to create six all-African American Army units. The units were identified as the 9th and 10th cavalry and the 38th, 39th, 40th, and 41st infantry regiments. The four infantry regiments were later reorganized to form the 24th and 25th infantry regiments; the nickname "Buffalo Soldiers" began with the Cheyenne warriors in 1867. The actual Cheyenne translation was Wild Buffalo. The nickname was given out of respect and the fierce fighting ability of the 10th cavalry. Over time, Buffalo Soldiers became a generic term for all African American soldiers.
The March 9, 1916 attack by Pancho Villa's men on Columbus, N.M. had pointed out the vulnerability of the lengthy border with Mexico. General John J. Pershing led a punitive expedition into Mexico in pursuit of Villa. Two black regiments, the 10th Cavalry and the 24th Infantry were part of the expedition. Following the withdrawal of the Punitive Expedition in February 1917, the 24th Infantry with 1,170 black soldiers was stationed at Camp Furlong in Columbus. By 1920, the 3,600-member regiment represented one of the largest black military communities ever to have resided in the West until its removal in 1922.
The March 9, 1916 attack by Pancho Villa's men on Columbus, N.M. had pointed out the vulnerability of the lengthy border with Mexico. General John J. Pershing led a punitive expedition into Mexico in pursuit of Villa. Two black regiments, the 10th Cavalry and the 24th Infantry were part of the expedition. Following the withdrawal of the Punitive Expedition in February 1917, the 24th Infantry with 1,170 black soldiers was stationed at Camp Furlong in Columbus. By 1920, the 3,600-member regiment represented one of the largest black military communities ever to have resided in the West until its removal in 1922.
Extent
16 items (1 box) : 16 photographic prints
Language of Materials
English
Collection Available Online
This collection is available online via New Mexico's Digital Collections.
- African American soldiers -- West (U.S.) – History -- 20th century -- Photographs
- Columbus (N.M.) -- History -- 20th century -- Photographs
- Mexican-American Border Region -- History -- 20th century -- Photographs
- United States -- Army -- African American troops – History -- Photographs
- United States -- Army -- Infantry Division, 24th -- Photographs
- Title
- Finding Aid of the Buffalo Soldiers in Columbus, New Mexico Photograph Collection, 1918
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Author
- Wendy Pedersen
- Date
- © 2010
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu